Dessert coffees are also available. This one feels like an affogato with a twist.

Cheesecakes are offered to pair with the coffee. There's a sweeping range of flavors from black sesame to sweet potato, though not everything is available all the time.

O'Coffee Club,

Fahrenheit 88, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur.

Typica Cafe,

Shaw Parade, Kuala Lumpur.

Check out EAT DRINK, a new F&B website jointly run by The Expat Group (TEG) & Eat Drink KL. This website features all of our up-to-date reviews, plus exclusive weekly articles & a searchable database on restaurants in KL & Selangor: EatDrink.my

Nice to start the day with sunshiny eggs; this "Andiamo" Italian-style omelet, stuffed with potatoes & onions, served with sauteed mushrooms, bell pepper & salsa, won't win any awards for KL's best, but it has a homemade touch that some might enjoy.

Check out EAT DRINK, a new F&B website jointly run by The Expat Group (TEG) & Eat Drink KL. This website features all of our up-to-date reviews, plus exclusive weekly articles & a searchable database on restaurants in KL & Selangor: EatDrink.my

Mee krob (RM16+). These crispy fried noodles represent the reality of Bangkok Street Bistro; purists will insist they've tasted better in the City of Angels, & they'd be right. But nevertheless, what's served here is food that's still enjoyable, that's still worth sharing, still worth paying for.

For RM20+, this Massaman lamb shank curry is a bargain, featuring genuinely tender meat in generously poured gravy. The more well-known Massaman beef version is also available.

On the other hand, RM15+ for this olive fried rice should have bought us something somewhat better. But in the end, we needed grains to soak up the curries.

Soft-shell crab with yellow curry (RM20+). Note: even on a weeknight, Bangkok Beat Bistro can be packed. So expect to line up awhile or come back later; when we hit this place at 9pm, the crowd had eased & most of our dishes landed within 15 minutes of ordering.

Grilled stingray with Thai sambal (RM25+). Might pair well with sparkling wine, but since Bangkok Beat Bistro is shooting for halal certification, it's best not to bring in booze.

Surprise! We hardly broke a sweat throughout this meal. Hurrah for the judicious use of spices!

Bangkok Beat Bistro,

LG32, Empire Shopping Gallery, Subang Jaya.

Tel: 03- 5637-8488

Check out EAT DRINK, a new F&B website jointly run by The Expat Group (TEG) & Eat Drink KL. This website features all of our up-to-date reviews, plus exclusive weekly articles & a searchable database on restaurants in KL & Selangor: EatDrink.my

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Spain, Part VII: Scarcely an hour's train ride from Madrid, the hilltop town of Toledo is well-respected for its handcrafted marzipan products.

These sweet treats are sold on nearly every corner of Toledo's narrow, winding streets (prepare to get lost here _ everybody does!).

The basic ingredients in these are straightforward: almond paste, sugar and honey.

Sweet stuff, with a somewhat medicinal flavor that might be an acquired taste.

Cookies and pastries are available too _ lots of them!

Fear not: Long fingernails, but clean fingers (really!).

Fabrica de Mazapan Jose Barroso,

Toledo, Spain.

Check out EAT DRINK, a new F&B website jointly run by The Expat Group (TEG) & Eat Drink KL. This website features all of our up-to-date reviews, plus exclusive weekly articles & a searchable database on restaurants in KL & Selangor: EatDrink.my

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Jarrod & Rawlins unveiled a Bangsar branch this month, making a prudent play for this neighborhood's meat-hungry clientele.

The food is reassuringly recognizable, the setting on Jalan Bangkung is perfectly polished; after all these years in the F&B business, these guys know what they're doing, so sit back & start a satisfying meal with this salad of streaky bacon, scallops & pumpkin seeds.

Fish pie, creamy & comforting. When we wondered what fish was used, our server didn't need to head to the kitchen to find out. She replied confidently, "Norwegian Emerald fish" (a breed of sustainable farmed tilapia).

Numerous touches kept this meal running smoothly. On the menu, these lamb-&-cranberry sausages with red wine gravy are partnered with mashed potatoes, but when we sought mushy peas instead, our request was met without reservation.

Crucially, everything emerges on the table exactly as ordered. We added this grilled prime tenderloin late in the evening, and again, our server impressed. Without taking notes, even though we also bombarded her with a new wine order, she got all the details right _ medium-rare, with baked potato & chive-horseradish butter.

Complimentary bacon, cooked in multiple ways, such as fried or prepared in brine.

Creme brulee, also on the house (thanks!). Can't complain about any of the food; everything's delicious _ not mind-blowing, but still clearly well-prepared.

House sparkling, offered by the bottle & the glass.

Three house reds & three whites are available by the glass (all around RM30).

Tanqueray & Bombay gin & tonic.

Port wine, also possible by the glass. Even though this is a watering hole, families can feel welcome, taking a table at the non-rowdy, non-smoking section.

Roaming around Bangsar, we also stopped at Moo Cow's latest spin-off at Telawi.

Oops! We gobbled up our fro-yo so fast, we forgot to snap a photo of it. This month's flavor is Winter Melon, a lovely treat, terrific when topped with melon seeds.

Moving on to see what Les Deux Garcons is selling these days. Can't help loving the L'aveline _ creamy hazelnut dacquoise cake, topped with noisette praline & berries.

Must have macarons. We thanked heaven for the opportunity to snatch LDG's sole table indoors, enjoying the air-conditioned comfort while nibbling on vodka lime & capsicum macarons.

Check out EAT DRINK, a new F&B website jointly run by The Expat Group (TEG) & Eat Drink KL. This website features all of our up-to-date reviews, plus exclusive weekly articles & a searchable database on restaurants in KL & Selangor: EatDrink.my